Sophie described her battle with crippling anxiety and depression in a series of social media posts just months before her death.

Her death rocked the show with some campaigners calling for the show to be axed altogether.

'How dare you try to trivialise the deaths of our beloved children': Deborah Gradon's letter in full

Dear Dame Carolyn

I am abhorred by your recent comments on The Today programme.

You make the claim “it's 'strange to link former contestants Sophie Gradon and Mike Thalassitis' suicides with the show Love Island.

This theory, belief or ideology, is totally inappropriate. The argument that you publicly disclosed, is comparably clever- but equally unpersuasive.

The common denominator that came to identify both Sophie and Mike is Love Island.

It is as distinct as their appearance on the show and the progressive status it allowed them both, which became a critical part of their self-identity.

I have no authority to speak on behalf of Mike’s family, but I have no doubt that your insensitive and tactless remarks would have had the same influence on them, as it did on me.

How dare you try to trivialise and belittle the deaths of our beloved children. To try and exercise some right of removal from the show, is principally evil.

My hypothesis, is that Love Island is produced as a Machiavellian project. To humiliate, demean and ultimately control the contestants. The use of cunning, scheming, mental control is paramount from Producers and staff alike. All in the name of ratings because of the popularity among young demographic viewers.

My beloved daughter Sophie, did not apply to appear on the show. Sophie was ‘scouted’ by a team while on a night in Newcastle. She was fast-tracked through the selection process, despite her candidness regarding her Mental Health.

In my opinion, this was seen as a vulnerability by your staff.

Sophie exposed her defencelessness to you and you took total advantage. She could be manipulated, deployed and stage- managed to do almost anything at your behest. Indeed, while Sophie was in ‘The Villa’ you ensured she had her prescription medication delivered to her. This was deliberate and unconscionable sham on your part.

Your manipulation and falsification was not exclusive to Sophie. The same practise was carried out on me. I was invited into the Villa as part of the Parent reunion episode. The production assistant in contact with me instructed me to pack a case and a flight ticket would be dispatched imminently.

Little did he know, that owing to an inside ‘leak’ I already knew that Sophie had left the show. When I challenged him about this, he continued to lie. Unforgivable and reprehensible. Needless to say, I didn’t travel to Majorca.

Sophie made several attempts to leave the show, as she was desperately unhappy, on her fourth request the production team acquiesced and allowed her to leave. By this time Sophie’s anxiety was exacerbated to an unprecedented level.

Sophie at this point was ill. On her return home, she requested help. She was offered a piteous ten minute Skype call with a counsellor.

These patterns of your behaviour have paradoxical properties such as unpredictable predictability. The same pattern seems to repeat over and over. When will you ever learn?

To lose an only, adored, cherished child to illness or accident is one form of loss. To lose that child to suicide is torturous.

To think that this was their last thought. Why did they feel this was their only option.

It is an unspeakable loss. I feel the agony and all its attended miseries every day and I will continue to do so for the rest of my life.

In my beautiful darling daughter’s own words: “I sold my soul to ITV”.

As a Mother yourself, I hope your hypocrisy and haughtily placed remarks sit well with your conscience.”

Deborah Gradon

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Carolyn McCall is the CEO of ITVCredit: Rex Features

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Fellow Islander Mike Thalassitis was found dead in woods near his homeCredit: Rex Features

And in March of this year Mike, who took part in the 2017 series of the ratings hit, also committed suicide after being found dead in woodland near his Essex home.

Deborah said: “How dare you try to trivialise and belittle the deaths of our beloved Children. To try and exercise some right of removal from the show, is principally evil.

She added: “I have no authority to speak on behalf of Mike’s family, but I have no doubt that your insensitive and tactless remarks would have had the same influence on them, as it did on me.

“Sophie made several attempts to leave the show, as she was desperately unhappy, on her fourth request the production team acquiesced and allowed her to leave. By this time Sophie’s anxiety was exacerbated to an unprecedented level.

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Sophie was just 32 years old when she took her own lifeCredit: Getty - Contributor

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